Crews Work To Get Motorists Out Of Rut I-90 Delays Expected For At Least 2 Weeks
Stop griping about grooves and potholes that never get fixed.
It’s time to gripe about road construction.
A million-dollar repaving project will clog Interstate 90 and raise many motorists’ blood pressure over the next two weeks. In the end, it also will smooth and improve a 4.5-mile stretch of freeway known for its shock-busting ruts.
On Tuesday, road crews began the work of repaving all four lanes of I-90 between the Sprague Avenue and Pines Road exits. On- and off-ramps also will get a fresh layer of asphalt.
Crews hope to finish the work by Oct. 15. However, heavy rain could halt work and delay completion.
The Washington state Department of Transportation originally planned to repave I-90’s inside lanes first, starting on the eastbound side of the freeway, then moving to the westbound inside lane.
But the department now plans to repave both eastbound lanes before moving to the westbound lanes. Each lane will take about two days to complete, said department spokesman Al Gilson. Ramps will be finished last.
Crews generally will work between 4:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. But that could change, as it did Tuesday when crews worked late to make up time lost when a paver broke down.
Today, crews expect to be working between the Argonne and Pines exits on I-90’s outside eastbound lane. On Thursday, crews expect to be back between Sprague and Argonne, starting work on the inside eastbound lane.
Because of questionable weather for the next few days, the work schedule could change.
To repair the deep ruts, crews will have to grind nearly two inches off the road surface, project engineers said. Department officials blame the damage on high traffic volumes and studded tires.
Traffic will be restricted to one lane in some areas during construction. Drivers are asked to drive slowly through the project area.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: I-90 INFORMATION Motorists can call 324-6015 for updated information on lane closures and other aspects of the Interstate 90 resurfacing project.